In the ingredient descriptions: Good means that I like to see this in a product's list of ingredients. Okay means this product appears safe for a curly person like me to use. Caution means that this ingredient may not be good in some hair care products, or for some people. Avoid means this ingredient may hurt your hair. If you see this ingredient in a hair product, it's best to put it down and walk away.

Acetamide MEA(aka Ethanolamine)Okay
Used to condition hair because it's a humectant, and increases sheen. Increases the ease of wet-combing, and reduces static charge. this is also shown to increase the diameter of the hair fiber [Hunting (Conditioning) pg 94].—Hunting says it increases the diameter of the hair, and that makes me nervous. A high pH makes hair swell, but as long as the product that this ingredient is in has a more balanced pH for the hair, then that should be fine.—T Increases foam, and used as a thickener. There is concern that this should not be combined with nitrates, because it could create potential carcinogens. The FDA and CIR have concluded this ingredient safe for cosmetic use [Winter, Pg 43].
See also:NitrosaminesSource(s): WinterHunting http://www.realself.com/ingredient/acetamide-mea